Objectified 01: Chrome Cobra Hoodie

Maybe it’s my youth crew background, or maybe it’s that I like living places where the climate doesn’t call for much more, but for most of my life a solid hooded sweatshirt has been one of my staple items. Back in the day it was Champion or nothing, but as the quality of those changed I ended up looking elsewhere. Dickies and American Apparel have made some that I’ve dug for one reason or another, but always failed in one respect or another. Maybe the arms were too short, or maybe the color didn’t hold. Either way I’ve been looking for something better for many years. I’m pretty much thanks to Chrome I finally found it.

It’s no secret Chrome makes some of the best messenger bags out there (more on those later in this series) and their attention to detail is spot on. So when they announced the Cobra Hoodie last year I was really interested. The early specs caught my eyes, 100% merino (which is pretty much the ideal material since I want something I can wear all the time – inside or out, and on a bike), secret key pocket on the wrist, slim fit so it can easily be worn under something else if it gets too cold, and longer cut in the back so you are flashing the world your add when you ride a bike, extremely minimal branding, comes in black, etc. The price however, $200, scared the crap out of me. I decided I had to see it in person and could then make a rational decision.

Of course by “rational decision” I mean “impulse buy.” I went to the Chrome Store in SF and tried one on. When I didn’t want to take it off I knew I was screwed. I bought it immediately and suffered a good week of buyers remorse. At the end of the first week, when I realized I’d worn it every day since I bought it, for the majority of the day, that remorse faded. If you’ve seen me since early December chances are I was wearing it, and in hindsight I can say it was probably some of the best spent cash ever. It’s amazingly comfortable and the material keeps you cool when it’s warm, warm when it’s cool, wicks moisture and it amazingly breathable. The fit makes you look 20lbs lighter and is perfect on it’s own or under another jacket if need be. It’s seriously my favorite hoodie ever and since the black ones are limited I’ve actually considered buying a back up just in case something happens to it.

I just ordered mine. The price scared me since it came out, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I searched the net for anything even close, but found nothing. I gave in and it’s on it’s way. Sight unseen, I just trust my gut on this one.

The new pics of the Chrome Cobra on their site now looks like it has a TAN ZIPPER which throws the entire thing off. Mine is coming tomorrow, but if I waited too long and get that ugly tan zip, I’m returning it. I’ll be really bummed that they messed up such a good design.

Okay, I received my Chrome Hoodie, and figured I’d post my thoughts: First off, the guys at Chrome are jerks, for ignoring COUNTLESS emails I’ve sent them. You can FORGET about customer service. Second – the Chrome Cobra hoodie is MADE IN CHINA – not here, in the US, like some of their bags. It is THIN. Way thinner and lighter then I thought it would be, and you can see through it when you hold it up against the light. When I received my Chrome Cobra, I notice that it was made crooked. The sleeves and body TWIST, and then I washed it strictly according to the care tag. Well, it made the “twisting” issue ten times more pronounced. I had to dry it by wearing it, because it was mangled mess of different sized panels of merino fabric. The right side’s thumb hole was lining up with my pinky. I have had it less than a week and it is ruined after one wash. What a huge waste of $200. I will never buy another product from Chrome, since they started outsourcing their labor to China.

The fit is entirely too small. I wear a MEDIUM shirt, but got the XL, cause I knew they’d be small, and the XL is still TOO SMALL. The arms are TOO LONG though – yes, even for bicycling. What a bunch of retards over there in San Francisco doing so well at failing miserably in their quest for apparel.

The zipper is SO CROOKED, and it’s worse, since it’s a clashing color brass. If it was black, I might not notice how crooked the zipper was, but this crooked brass zip sticks out in your face. It is crooked because the whole hoodie twists around my body, because the Chinese Kid that sewed it was having a bad day in the sweat shop. Thanks a lot, Chrome, for making such a heap of junk, and then IGNORING my countless emails, hoping for reconciliation. Worst Customer Service – for the WORST, yet most expensive hoodie I’ve ever bought. Thanks. Thanks, a lot, jerks.

You should probably just call the guys at Chrome, or maybe wait a few days for an e-mail reply. You didn’t have it on the 16th and it’s ruined on the 19th so I’m guessing you only started e-mailing them somewhere in the last 2 days, one of which was a holiday…?

Also, how big are you? I’m 6’2″ and weigh 175lbs and I have a L and it fits me perfectly and I don’t see any of the poor construction issues you are describing, in fact on mine it’s crazy how perfect everything is. Likewise on the 5 or so I saw when I was in the store. That said, everything you are describing sounds like what happens when you wash/dry wool incorrectly. You say you had it for how long before you washed it, and did you put it in the dryer? If you followed there instructions correctly they should replace it as it sounds like someone else got one, washed it incorrectly and returned it and no one noticed. If you washed it wrong…. well, it’s wool man, don’t know what to say.

I washed it EXACTLY according to their specs, in a front load washer, on super cold, and on delicate. It didn’t shrink (like when you wash wool improperly) it’s just all the panels of Merino are uneven, and twisted, because it wasn’t lined up properly when made.

I actually have been emailing them questions for over a week, and they STILL HAVE NOT REPLIED!

Did you call them yet? Like I said before, I think that’s your best bet.

And I’m sticking with my “someone washed it wrong” speculation because in my experience when wool is washed wrong it doesn’t shrink in scale, some parts shrink more than others giving it a twisted uneven shape. Knowing how things are made and seeing how high the quality and craftsmanship is on the one I have here I really can’t believe there would be that much difference between then. Maybe it wasn’t you, but someone washed that wrong. Stop e-mailing them and call them.

Gritter is 110% correct: Chrome customer service sucks A$$! I own one of their messenger bag which I purchased about 2 years ago at my local bike shop. I love the numerous features and the ergonomic fit of the bag. However, the chrome on the seat belt style latch has begun to flake off (ironic considering their name…) and the flaking process results in sharp shards of chrome that love to slice into hands, fingers etc. I have written Chrome 3 times describing the problem (including photos of the offending part) seeking some sort of a solution and have heard NOTHING from them. For my part: the emails have been polite and I am not expecting a free bag or anything…just want to get this fixed. Next step is to contact the Better Business Bureau as their advertisement of stellar warranty appears to be false.
To answer some of the doubters or Chrome defender claims that I have not given them adequate time to respond: I initiated contact on Jan. 15 2009, again on Feb. 20, 2009 and AGAIN on March 19, 2009. In the last two emails I have cc’d all available email addresses as listed on their website.
In short: LAME…do not buy from these cocks!

I appreciate all the candid chatter resulting from your experiences with this Chrome hoodie. I was eager to purchase one, but not now. I’ll wait a bit til the Bicycle Fixation merino jersey comes in. Thanks again.

I’ve dealt with Chrome on numerous occasions buying bags and getting replacement plastic buckles mailed to me. No, they aren’t great with the email. But they ARE great on the phone. Call them. You might get a very nice woman named Ann who will make your day much more enjoyable.

This thread is four years old as I comment on it but I feel it important to comment anyway as this blog still comes up when searching for “Chrome Merino Cobra Hoodie Review”. I want to lend some credibility to Gritter’s poor hoodie construction problem, as I have basically the exact same thing.

I came to this blog first before purchasing the Chrome Cobra Hoodie and read the reviews, which were mostly positive except for Gritter’s. I assumed he had a freak occurrence and ended up buying the hoodie anyway.

Well, turns out I have the same twisting problem in the sleeves, both arms held out hands horizontal, the thumb matches my right arm, but is twisted over the top of my wrist with the right arm. I also found a loose seam on the right side by the ribs that opened up into a nice little hole after one week of wearing it. The first time I hung it using the hook loop the loop spooled out and broke. And finally, I have the same problem with the main zipper, mine twists to the left and if you try and straighten it the sweatshirt feels uneven and uncomfortable.

I called Chrome this morning and they were pretty friendly and directed me to the Warranty section of their page and I ended up filling a claim. It’s still too early to say how quickly they’ll get back to me but the guy on the phone assured me it would only be a couple days at the most. They have a year warranty for apparel as long as it’s manufacturer’s error. I have little doubt they’ll replace it but if they don’t I will come back and update.

As far as my thoughts of the hoodie beyond the problems listed above, I didn’t find it “too thin”, as it’s merino I expect it to be pretty thin and for the right temperature ranges it does a nice job of insulating you. I love the discreet zip pockets on the sides, while traveling internationally it made it a lot easier to keep track of my wallet and the zippers themselves are small enough to not be cumbersome or obvious. Also a big fan of the right arm key/cash zip pocket. It has a little loop which you can attach a key(s), and stuff a couple twenties to so you can go for minimal weight on those long bike rides and still have what you need.

I definitely plan on opting for a replacement rather than a full return, I like the shirt, I just want the one everyone else got.

My advice to Gritter and other folks in the future who have to review a defective product; try and stay emotionally neutral. Freaking out about it tarnishes your credibility.

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Hi, I’m Sean Bonner

I recently moved to Tokyo after 17 years in Los Angeles. I’ve run hackerspaces and blog networks, an art gallery, design firm and a record label. I’m one of the co-founders of Safecast, and currently act as Global Director. I’m an Associate Professor at Keio University, a Shuttleworth Fellow, an MIT researcher and sit on the board of CicLAvia.